Dispensing device

ABSTRACT

A dispensing device including a housing with pivotal flap means to distribute free-flowing subdivided material. A suitable biasing means (e.g., rubber band or spring) normally holds the flap means in a closed position. Actuating means, specifically a one-piece squeeze handle, is carried by the housing and contacts tab means on the flap means to move the latter to an open position. In one embodiment, the squeeze handle includes a support arm portion mounted to the housing and connected by a resilient elbow to an actuating arm portion which is pivotal about the elbow. Suitable operating means, a plate with cam surfaces, serves to contact the tab means and control the flap means.

United States Patent Fuss July 8, 1975 DISPENSING DEVICE 2.4s2,s939/1949 Palmer 222/503 3,116,854 1 1964 R bb 222/506 X [75] Inventor:Gunter G. Fuss, Daly City, Calif. I a

1 1 Assigneei Free'Flow Packaging corllol'ation, Primary Examiner-RobertB. Reeves Redwood Calif- Assistant Examiner-Thomas E. Kocovsky [22]Filed. Apr 1 974 Attorney, Agent, or FirmFlehr, Hohback, Test,

Appl. No.: 456,453

Related US. Application Data Continuation of Ser. No. 314,583, Dec. 13,I972, abandoned.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 222/502 X 222/506 X 222/473 XSanger James Peterson Albritton & Herbert {S 7 ABSTRACT A dispensingdevice including a housing with pivotal flap means to distributefree-flowing subdivided material. A suitable biasing means (e.g., rubberband or spring) normally holds the flap means in a closed position.Actuating means, specifically a one-piece squeeze handle, is carried bythe housing and contacts tab means on the flap means to move the latterto an open position. In one embodiment, the squeeze handle includes asupport arm portion mounted to the housing and connected by a resilientelbow to an actuating arm portion which is pivotal about the elbow.Suitable operating means, a plate with cam surfaces, serves to contactthe tab means and control the flap means.

16 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUL R1975 SHEET 2 [1F 4 DISPENSINGDEVICE This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 3 I 4,583 filedDec. 13, I972 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to dispensingdevices of a type for use in distributing light-weight subdividedmaterials, such as cushioning and packaging materials.

The dispensing device of the present invention has particularapplication in the selective distribution of free-flowing cushioning andpackaging material of the type disclosed, e.g., in US. Pat. Nos.3,074,543 and 3,481,455. Cushioning and packaging materials of theforegoing type possess the desirable characteristic of flowability"which permits a predetermined mass of the packaging material to beflowed or poured into the confines of a shipping carton. as it is beingpacked, to thereby rapidly isolate the packed item from the sides of thecarton and cushion the same against breakage upon external impact.

Problems are presented in the use of the foregoing materials inpackaging operations due to their extreme light weight. Also,inexperienced personnel are frequently employed in the packagingoperations so that the equipment utilized to dispense the materials mustbe relatively uncomplicated. Furthermore, a large number of packagingoperations are normally employed at a single site so the dispensingequipment must be relatively durable over long-term repetitious use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND OBJECTS The present invention generallyconcerns a dispensing device with a housing having an opening controlledby pivotal flap means operable by tab means carried thereby in responseto contact against the tab means by an actuating means also carried bythe housing. The actuating means is preferably operable by squeezingpressure which urges a cam surface against the tab means to open theflap means, suitably a pair of mating flaps, to dispense thefree-flowing material. A biasing means is provided to normally hold thepair of flaps in the material restraining position and to return thesame to that position after release of the squeezing pressure. In onespecific construction, the actuating means is a squeeze handle,preferably of integral construction, which includes a support armportion carried by the housing and an actuating arm portion movable fromsaid support arm portion, as by a resilient elbow portion. The actuatingarm portion supports operating means such as a plate disposed generallytransverse thereto with a cam surface for slidably contacting the tabmeans to open and close the flap means. The plate includes a slot forguiding contact of the cam surface and tab means. In one embodiment, theflap means is formed of a pair of flaps pivotally mounted on oppositesides of the housing and meeting centrally of the dispensing opening ina material closing position. The flaps either are formed as anarticulated integral unit with the housing or are separately formed andmounted to the housing with hinge means.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a durablesimple device for the rapid dispensing of free flowing packaging andcushioning material and similar subdivided materials.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device of theforegoing type utilizing flap means and a durable actuator rapidlyoperable by simple direct squeezing pressure.

Additional objects and features of the present invention will beapparent from the following description in which the preferredembodiments are set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevational viewillustrating a dispensing device in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view partially broken away of the device ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the device of FIG. 1, with theflaps in a material dispensing position illustrated in phantom.

FIG. 4 is a view section along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 illustrating thematerial dispensing position in phan torn.

FIG. 5 is a top view illustrating another embodiment of a dispensingdevice in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the dispensing device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view, partially broken away, of the deviceof FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the dispensing device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is the front view of the device of FIG. 5 with the flaps in amaterial dispensing position illustrated in phantom.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line l0-l0 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view, similar to FIG. 2, illustrating afurther embodiment of a dispensing device in accordance with theinvention.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the dispensing device of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view, similar to FIG. 3, of thedispensing device of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS.1-4, a dispensing device according to the invention includes a suitablehousing 11 having a generally circular inlet opening tapering down to acentral section of generally rectangular cross-section defined byopposing side walls 12 and 13 and opposing front and rear walls 14 and16, respectively. The lower extremities of the four walls define adispensing opening. In the illustrated form, the last named opposingwalls assume identical triangular configurations with dpwnwardlydirected apices. Housing 11 is formed of a suitable durable, relativelyrigid, light-weight plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride alone orcopolymerized with an acrylic resin precursor (e.g., of the type soldunder the trademark Kydex). For economy, the housing is of a unitaryconstruction formed by molding.

Dispensing flap means comprising a pair of flaps 17 of appropriatematerial, is pivotally carried by side walls 12 and 13 of housing lladjacent the dispensing opening for movement from a first materialrestraining position to a second substantially open material dispensingposition. In the material restraining position, the edges of flap l7opposite their pivoted edges meet centrally of the dispensing opening.Also, the plane of flaps 17 is inclined to the horizontal so that theflap side edges are in registry with the corresponding triangular edgesat the lower portions of side walls 12 and 13, respectively.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, flaps 17 are suitably mounted byhinge means comprising elongated articulated hinges 18 with one plateportion suitably secured, as by rivets, to side walls 12 and 13,respectively, and another plate portion to the pivotal flaps 17. Theillustrated hinges 18 are integrally formed of a material (e.g., anappropriate plastic) which may be repeatedly bent about undercut foldline 18a without fatigue.

Tab means such as tabs 20, integrally formed with flaps 17, extendoutwardly from the forward portion of the flaps to provide contactsurfaces for actuating means, described hereinafter. The tabs are formedof sufficient rigidity to pivotally move flaps 17 outwardly to asubstantially open material dispensing position, as illustrated inphantom in FIGS. 3 and 4, in response to actuating contact.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, biasing, means to normally holdthe flaps 17 in a material restraining position comprise springs 21received at one end by eyes of studs 22 mounted on the flaps 17 andreceived at their other ends by the eye of stud 23, which projectsthrough the front wall 14. The springs 21 urge the flaps 17 together toreturn the same to the illustrated full line mating material restrainingposition, upon release of actuating pressure upon tabs 20.

Actuating means to operate tabs to move flaps 17 between substantiallyclosed and substantially open positions comprises squeeze handle means24 formed to be responsive to squeezing pressures exerted thereupon. Asillustrated in the drawings, means 24 includes a generally U shapedportion comprising a support arm portion 26, an actuating arm potion 27movable from the support arm portion and a connecting resilient elbowportion 28. Portions 26 and 27 are suitably formed with a roundedgripping surface. Support arm portion 26 includes a mounting plateextension 29 which is suitably affixed to front wall 14 of housing 11 asby spaced-apart bolts 30.

Operating means carried by actuating arm portion 27 includes a plate 31disposed generally transverse to the arm portions 26 and 27 and havingcurved cam surfaces 31a to contact the tabs 20. Squeezing pressure tomove the arms 26 and 27 together causes sliding movement of the camsurfaces 31 against the tabs 20 to pivot the flaps 17 downward to anopen position. The width or wedging effect of the cam of surfaces 310determines the rate and the extent of opening of the flaps 17.

The actuating plate 31 is provided with slot means 32 to guide themovements of the cam surfaces 310 and to prevent deflection duringsqueezing operations of the handle means 24. As illustrated, the slotmeans 32 is in the form of a generally rectangular downwardly directedopening cut out from a central portion of the plate, and whichcooperatingly receives the support arm 26. Stop means is provided forlimiting movement of actuating arm portion 27 to prevent unnecessarybending of elbow portion 28 which might result in undue stresses. In theillustrated embodiment, the stop means comprises the top surface 32a ofthe slot means which contacts the support arm portion 28, thuspreventing movement of the plate below the position illustrated inphantom in FIGS. 3 and 4.

For simplicity of construction, squeeze handle means 24 is integrallyformed of a molded plastic material having sufficient rigidity totranslate movement by sliding contact of cam surface 31a with tabs 20and having sufficient resiliency at elbow portion 28 to easily andrepeatedly bend without fatigue in response to squeezing pressureapplied to the handle means 24. One suitable material comprises apolyvinyl chloride copolymer of the foregoing type as sold under thetrademark Kydex". It should be understood that other materials whichpossess the foregoing characteristics may also be used as a constructionmaterial. Alterenatively, if desired, squeeze handle means 24 mayinclude multiple parts to perform in the manner described herein.

Operation of a dispensing device of the foregoing type is relativelysimple. Free-flowing material in a hopper or other container is disposedabove the inlet opening of housing 11 or is connected to the same by acon ventional flexible or inflexible conduit. Prior to dispensing thefree-flowing material, the flaps assume a material restraining positionas illustrated by the solid lines of the drawings. When the operatordesires to dispense a predetermined quantity of the sub-divided materialfor packing of fragile items or the like, arms 26 and 27 are gripped andsqueezed to slidably move camming surfaces 31a against tabs 20 to moveapart flaps 17 to a desired extent for material dispensing asillustrated in phantom in FIGS. 3 and 4. Cam surfaces 31a and tab meansare formed of material capable of withstanding numerous slidingmovements without excessive wear. After dispensing of the material, theoperator releases the squeeze handle means 24 and flaps 17 return to thematerial restraining position under the influence of the biasing means,springs 21.

In another embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 510, theflap means and tab means are slightly modified while the remainder ofthe dispensing device, including housing 11 and squeeze handle means 24,are substantially the same. Accordingly, identical numbers are employedto designate similar parts in the two embodiments. In general, however,the set of independent hinges 18 has been eliminated by forming the flapmeans integral with housing 11.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5-10, the flap means 36 are movable between thematerial restraining and dispensing positions shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 bysqueezing the handle means 24 in the manner described above. Inpractice, the flap portions 36 and housing 1 1 can be integrally formed,as by molding, with the flaps initially forming a solid sealed bottom ofU-shaped cross section. Thereafter, the housing bottom can be formedinto the flap portions 37 by severing cuts along lines 37 and 38 withrespect to the front and rear housing walls 14 and 16, respectively, andby a further severing cut at the intersection of the apex line 39 of theU-shaped bottom portion. In order to render flap portions 36 pivotallymovable with respect to the side walls 12 and 13, an undercut or scoreline 40 is provided on the outside surface to accommodate outwardpivotal movements (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Biasing means 21 as previouslydescribed are provided to normally hold flap portions 36 in a normallyclosed or material restraining position. Housing 11 and integral flapportions 36 are suitably constructed of a material (e.g., polypropyleneor other plastic material which can withstand multiple bendingoperations, without failure from fatigue, along a relatively thinbending line.

When the embodiment of FIGS. 5-10 is die cast, tab means comprisingseparately formed rigid tabs 41 are suitably mounted to flap portions 36as by rivets 42. The use of the separate tabs 41 simplifies economic diecasting of the housing and flap portions in a single molding operation.

The selection of the embodiment of FIGS. 14 or that of FIGS. 510 isprimarily dependent upon the relative economics of assembly and theavailability of suitable construction materials.

In a still further embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIGS.11-14, the biasing means comprises an elastic member 210, such as aconventional rubber band. Such biasing means can be convenientlyattached to the opposing flap means 17 through provisions of spacedapart slot means 220 extending a suitable distance inwardly from theforward edge of the flap means. In general, the biasing means 21a isheld in position by frictional engagement within the slots, and operatesto perform substantially the function of the springs 21 previouslydescribed. Thus, with reference to FIGS. 1 1 and 13, squeezing thehandle means 24 will distend the biasing means 21a from the normallyclosed or material restraining position (FIG. 11) to the open ormaterial dispensing position (phantom line position of FIG. 13). At theend of a desired dispensing operation, release of the pressure from thesqueeze handle 24 will permit the biasing means 21a to return the flaps17 to the normally closed or material restraining position.

It will be appreciated that the embodiment of FIGS. 11-14 issubstantially identical to the embodiment of FIGS. 14, except forsubstitution of the rubber band 21a for the spring means 21.

It is apparent from the foregoing that the dispensing device of thepresent invention is of a type which is durable over long-term operationwith frequent distribution of a free-flowing packaging or likesubdivided material. In addition, the device is capable of close controlof the amount of free-flowing material with almost instantaneous openingand closing by an operator, regardless of his experience. The squeezehandle means, itself, has many unique features such as its one-piececonstruction which renders it capable of almost unlimited use withoutbreakdown of moving parts.

It should be apparent that biasing means other than the illustratedspring units 21, or the rubber band 210, might be utilized with equalsuccess. For example, the housing and flaps might be constructed ofspring metal or other suitable material configured to naturally urge theflaps together. In like fashion the hinges 18 might be constructed of asuitable resilient material. Likewise, although the one-piece squeezehandle is preferred, it should be understood that multiple parts may beemployed so long as the tab means is contacted for moving the flap meansby handle actuation. In addition, it is contemplated to utilize a singleflap as the flap means according to the invention.

I claim:

I. A dispensing device, said device comprising a dispensing housinghaving side walls forming a generally rectangular dispensing opening, apair of dispensing flap means pivotally carried by opposed parallel sidewalls of said housing forming said dispensing opening, said flap meansbeing mounted for pivotal movements about parallel pivot axes asrespects said opposed parallel side walls between a first materialrestraining position and a second substantially open material dispensingposition, biasing means to normally hold said flap means in said firstposition, tab means carried by said flap means, and pivotally operableactuating means carried by a transverse side wall of said housing asrespects said opposed parallel side walls, said actuating meanscomprising pivotally operable squeeze handle means formed to beresponsive to squeezing pressures exerted thereupon and camming meansoperable with respect to said tab means in a plane which is generallytransverse to the planes of said opposed parallel side walls, saidcamming means contacting said flap means to move the same in a cammingaction between said first and second positions.

2. A dispensing device as in claim I in which said dispensing flap meansand housing are integrally formed and are articulated.

3. A dispensing device as in claim 1 in which said tab means is anintegral part of said flap means.

4. A dispensing device as in claim 1 in which said hiasing meanscomprises spring means engaging said flap means and said dispensinghousing.

5. A dispensing device as in claim 1 together with hinge means pivotallymounting said flap means to said housing.

6. A dispensing device as in claim 5 in which said flap means isseparately formed and including hinge means for mounting said flap meansto said housing.

7. A dispensing device as in claim 1 in which said flap means comprisesa pair of flaps pivotally mounted on opposing sides of said housing, theedges of said flaps opposite their pivoted edges meeting centrally ofsaid dispensing opening in said first position.

8. A dispensing device as in claim 7 in which said biasing meanscomprises elastic means engaging the opposing flap means.

9. A dispensing device as in claim 8 in which said opposing flap meansare provided with slot means, and said elastic means is a rubber bandreceived at opposite ends in the slot means of said flap means.

10. A dispensing device as in claim 1 in which said squeeze handle meansincludes a support arm portion carried by said transverse side wall ofsaid housing, an actuating arm portion movable from said support armportion, and operating means carried by said actuating arm portion forcontact with said tab means.

11. A dispensing device as in claim 10 together with a resilient elbowportion connecting said actuating arm portion and support arm portionserving to provide said relative pivotal movement.

12. A dispensing device as in claim 11 in which said actuating armportion, support arm portion, and resilient elbow portion are integrallyformed.

13. A dispensing device as in claim 11 in which said operating meansincludes a camming plate disposed generally transverse to said actuatingarm portion and support arm portion.

14. A dispensing device as in claim 11 in which said operating meansincludes a cam surface for slidably contacting said tab means to movesaid flap means between said first and second positions.

15. A dispensing device as in claim 11 in which said operating meansincludes slot means for guiding contact with said tab means.

16. A dispensing device as in claim 15 in which said slot means includesstop means for limiting movement of said actuating arm portion towardssaid support arm portion.

I l 4 i

1. A dispensing device, said device comprising a dispensing housinghaving side walls forming a generally rectangular dispensing opening, apair of dispensing flap means pivotally carried by opposed parallel sidewalls of said housing forming said dispensing opening, said flap meansbeing mounted for pivotal movements about parallel pivot axes asrespects said opposed parallel side walls between a first materialrestraining position and a second substantially open material dispensingposition, biasing means to normally hold said flap means in said firstposition, tab means carried by said flap means, and pivotally operableactuating means carried by a transverse side wall of said housing asrespects said opposed parallel side walls, said actuating meanscomprising pivotally operable squeeze handle means formed to beresponsive to squeezing pressures exerted thereupon and camming meansoperable with respect to said tab means in a plane which is generallytransverse to the planes of said opposed parallel side walls, saidcamming means contacting said flap means to move the same in a cammingaction between said first and second positions.
 2. A dispensing deviceas in claim 1 in which said dispensing flap means and housing areintegrally formed and are articulated.
 3. A dispensing device as inclaim 1 in which said tab means is an integral part of said flap means.4. A dispensing device as in claim 1 in which said biasing meanscomprises spring means engaging said flap means and said dispensinghousing.
 5. A dispensing device as in claim 1 together with hinge meanspivotally mounting said flap means to said housing.
 6. A dispensingdevice as in claim 5 in which said flap means is separately formed andincluding hinge means for mounting said flap means to said housing.
 7. Adispensing device as in claim 1 in which said flap means comprises apair of flaps pivotally mounted on opposing sides of said housing, theedges of said flaps opposite their pivoted edges meeting centrally ofsaid dispensing opening in said first position.
 8. A dispensing deviceas in clAim 7 in which said biasing means comprises elastic meansengaging the opposing flap means.
 9. A dispensing device as in claim 8in which said opposing flap means are provided with slot means, and saidelastic means is a rubber band received at opposite ends in the slotmeans of said flap means.
 10. A dispensing device as in claim 1 in whichsaid squeeze handle means includes a support arm portion carried by saidtransverse side wall of said housing, an actuating arm portion movablefrom said support arm portion, and operating means carried by saidactuating arm portion for contact with said tab means.
 11. A dispensingdevice as in claim 10 together with a resilient elbow portion connectingsaid actuating arm portion and support arm portion serving to providesaid relative pivotal movement.
 12. A dispensing device as in claim 11in which said actuating arm portion, support arm portion, and resilientelbow portion are integrally formed.
 13. A dispensing device as in claim11 in which said operating means includes a camming plate disposedgenerally transverse to said actuating arm portion and support armportion.
 14. A dispensing device as in claim 11 in which said operatingmeans includes a cam surface for slidably contacting said tab means tomove said flap means between said first and second positions.
 15. Adispensing device as in claim 11 in which said operating means includesslot means for guiding contact with said tab means.
 16. A dispensingdevice as in claim 15 in which said slot means includes stop means forlimiting movement of said actuating arm portion towards said support armportion.